U.S. President Barack Obama has told visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping that the United States welcomes the peaceful rise of China. Obama made the remarks during their meeting at the White House.

U.S. President Barack Obama has told visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping. [Xinhua]

He said the US believes it's critically important that the two countries develop a strong working relationship to help bring stability, order and security and ultimately provide a better life for both peoples. He said the United States wants to manage areas of tension with China in a constructive way and "work together in the G20 to manage the world economic crisis".

Xi Jinping also held talks at the White House with his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden on deepening the relations between the two countries.

The Chinese vice president said his current visit is aimed at increasing strategic mutual trust, exploring more substantial cooperation and deepening the friendship between the two countries and peoples.

Biden, for his part, said the U.S. administration has determined to "renew and intensify" the U.S. role in the Asia-Pacific region, and "the ties with China in particular."

In remarks at a State Department luncheon held to mark his US visit, Xi Jinping said the two countries should strive for a greater balance in trade and investment and resolve issues through dialogue, "not protectionism."